The big issue is that membership to ASIFA is available to anyone willing to pay, whereas an institution such as the Motion Picture Academy is an organization whose membership and awards voting is open only to industry professionals.

Disney-Pixar president Ed Catmull told the trade, "After more than a year of discussions with the ASIFA board, we have regretfully decided to withdraw from the organization and no longer participate in the annual Annie Awards."

He added, "We believe there is an issue with the way the Annies are judged, and have been seeking a mutually agreeable solution with the board."